Broadcasters table new plans for TV debates

British broadcasters have published revised proposals for televised debates ahead of the 2015 General Election which will now include the Greens, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. Both the BBC and ITV plan to host the debates involving the seven parties seen as the major players in the 2015 campaign. The three new additions will join the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats if the plans are agreed to by party leaders.

At the forefront of the bid to include more parties in the debates were the Greens, who have seen a steady rise in their ratings since their original exclusion. Although they are yet to send out an official statement concerning developments, Natalie Bennett told the BBC she was “delighted”. She went on to say “We have really seen the acknowledgement that we are in multiparty politics in Britain, the politics of 2015. This is good for British democracy as well as good for the Green Party.”

In an official release SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said “The inclusion of the SNP, Plaid and the Greens with Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood and Natalie Bennett will also rightly show that politics beyond Westminster isn’t just an old boys club.” While Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood also welcomed the proposals saying it was good for voters to have a “clear picture” of their electoral options.

Before the debates can be confirmed, with suggested dates of 2 April, 16 April and 30 April, David Cameron will have to agree to the proposals which now, as he previously requested, do involve the Greens.

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